Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

What is musculoskeletal rehabilitation?

A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is a doctor-supervised program designed for people with impairments or disabilities due to disease, disorders, or trauma to the muscles or bones. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can often improve functional capacity, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient.

What conditions can benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation?

Some of the conditions that may benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Amputation

Knee and achilles tendon injuries

Tendon tears, such as achilles tendon injuries and tears of the rotator cuff in the shoulder

Trauma injuries, such as sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures

Back pain

Osteoporosis

Arthritis

Bone tumors

Repetitive stress injuries, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome

Joint injury and replacement

The musculoskeletal rehabilitation team

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the musculoskeletal rehabilitation team, including any or all of the following:

Orthopaedist/orthopaedic surgeon

Neurologist/neurosurgeon

Physiatrist

Internist

Other specialty doctors

Rehabilitation specialists

Registered dietitian

Physical therapist

Occupational therapist

Social worker

Exercise physiologist

Psychologist/psychiatrist

Recreational therapist

Case manager

Chaplain

Vocational counselor

The musculoskeletal rehabilitation program

A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending upon the specific problem or disease. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.

The goal of musculoskeletal rehabilitation is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life--physically, emotionally, and socially.

In order to help reach these goals, musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs may include the following:

Fitting and care for casts, braces, and splints (orthoses), or artificial limbs (prostheses)